Biography
Who is Dawn French?
Early life and education
Dawn French was born in the Welsh town of Holyhead on October 11, 1957. Her father served in the Royal Air Force, which led the family to move to different locations during her childhood. She attended Caistor Grammar School in Lincolnshire and later went to boarding school at St Dunstan's Abbey in Plymouth. She also spent a year studying abroad at the Spence School in New York City.
After finishing her secondary education, she began studying drama in 1977 at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. During her time at college, she met her future comedy partner Jennifer Saunders. The two shared a flat and eventually decided to form a double act after completing their studies.
Career highlights
Dawn French began her extensive television career in the early 1980s. She appeared in Channel 4's comedy series The Comic Strip Presents, acting in numerous episodes and writing a couple of them. In 1985, she starred in the sitcom Girls on Top alongside Jennifer Saunders, Tracey Ullman, Ruby Wax, and Joan Greenwood.
Alongside Jennifer Saunders, she co-created and starred in the successful BBC sketch comedy series French and Saunders, which debuted in 1987 and ran for two decades. The duo spoofed many celebrities and parodied famous films. She also played the lead role of Geraldine Granger in the long-running BBC comedy series The Vicar of Dibley, created by Richard Curtis.
Television and film roles
Apart from her work with Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French pursued various solo television projects. From 1991 to 1999, she starred in the anthology series Murder Most Horrid, playing a different character each week. She also appeared in the comedy drama series Jam and Jerusalem, playing a woman with dissociative identity disorder alongside Sue Johnston and Joanna Lumley.
In later years, she took on roles in productions such as Lark Rise to Candleford and the drama series Delicious, where she starred as a cook. She has also made guest appearances in various television shows and specials, including Agatha Christie's Marple and Little Britain.
Birthday and age
Dawn French was born on October 11, 1957, which makes Dawn 69 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Dawn shares the date with 31 other famous people.
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